NGOs demand answers over Jay Banda’s arrest
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Zambianobserver
Twenty-four civil society organisations are calling for explanations over the arrest in Mozambique of former Zambian MP Emmanuel Jay Banda and his admission to Maina Soko Hospital. They are asking the Zambian authorities to make public the circumstances of his transfer and the treatment he received, according to their joint statement.
Local and regional human rights organisations are calling for explanations over the arrest in Mozambique and transfer to Zambia of former Petauke MP Emmanuel Jay Banda, the Zambian media outlet Zambian Observer reports. They have denounced the lack of transparency surrounding the operation.
The organisations are also asking the Zambian government to make public the reasons for Jay Banda’s admission to Maina Soko Hospital and the nature of the treatment he is receiving. The former MP was reportedly arrested in northern Mozambique, where he had been posting messages hostile to the ruling UPND party on his Facebook page under the pseudonym “Miracle”.
The call follows Jay Jay Banda’s transfer from Mozambique to Zambia, reported on 16 October, and Amnesty’s call on 17 October for the transfer to be justified. On 19 October, the Zambian presidency said the former MP could not evade justice abroad.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
